“awaiting You In Heaven” Series

Funeral for Ryan Allen Lentz (Died at Birth)

Title “Awaiting You In Heaven”

Introduction: On behalf of the family, I want to extend a thank you to all who have in some way made time to minister to Ryan Allen’s family. We are thankful for the nurses at the Norton County Hospital and doctor McKinley. We are thankful to Pastor Kirk Kasson who ministered to the family, as they waited for word from the doctor. We are blessed by the ministry offered to the immediate family through this wonderful funeral home, through those who minister at Phillipsburg First Assembly of God and those who assist me at CrossRoads Ministries. I personally want to thank all of you for coming to support and give comfort to Jay and Melinda who have suffered a great loss, the loss of Ryan Allen Lentz.

We are broken hearted over the loss of Ryan. Bonnie and I know the cut of grief, the doubts, and the many questions that plague the soul in trials just like this one. Bonnie and I lost our first child to miscarriage. We understand how it feels to make preparations in the home and have exciting plans in the heart for the future, then to have them taken away never to be fulfilled on this earth. I do know now that the loss of our baby in 1984 prepared our hearts to minister to others who lose their babies. (2 Corinthians 1:4) I urge you to let the Holy Spirit use this difficult trial to prepare you to comfort others who may suffer the loss of a child.

No one here is taking this lightly. All of us grieve with Jay and Melinda, their family and friends. It is okay to grieve, it is okay to cry. Tears are not a sign of disbelief in God, nor are tears the results of a lack of trust in Christ. Crying with those who grieve over of the loss of child is not a sign of weakness. It is showing compassion and most importantly it is ministering to all who mourn.

Jesus Christ showed the example when He raised Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:1-44) When Jesus arrived in Bethany He saw Mary and all the Jews weeping over the death of Lazarus. Even though the Lord knew He was going to do a miracle by raising Lazarus from the dead, He still wept, because He was saddened by the grief of those who loved and knew Lazarus. (John 11:1-44)

Proposition: I would propose to you that even on this day, a day that does not even make sense to us, God is wanting to do a work in and through all who are here today!

There a several truths you must take with you today if you are going to enjoy the comfort that comes from God through the power of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Just what are those truths?

Transitional Sentence: One powerful truth is found in Psalm 139, a word written by David as the Holy Spirit moved him to give us this wonderful revelation. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together…, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16) Pray!

Psalm 139:13-16 is the Word of God and there are truths worth grasping as we remember Ryan Allen. Ryan’s body was only seen by a few of us. However, he was seen by the Lord and he was never hidden from God’s sight. Even while Ryan’s body was unformed, the Lord knew him and the Lord’s plans for his life will see its fulfillment. Even to this day, Ryan’s home going will give all of you an opportunity to think upon and consider eternal life offered by God in Jesus Christ’s Name.

Too often, we see death as untimely, or too early – but God is in full control. We are surprised at Ryan’s home going, the Lord is not. We are naturally grieved, but heaven welcomes Ryan Allen to his eternal home. Ryan will never have to suffer heartache, the results of a sin stricken world or interrupted worship of the God who created him and of the Christ who died for him. Even the most spiritual people have to suffer heartache, are stricken in some way and have their worship to the Lord interrupted. Ryan will never have to experience any of those things. Ryan is enjoying all the blessings of heaven right now. Ryan Allen is enjoying his inheritance, he knows heaven is a real place, a personal place, a Holy place, a place of reunion and a permanent place.